Saturday, June 06, 2009

Here's another request that came from the kids (Elijah and Jared), the teachers, and even from some PS22 Chorus fans too. The song, "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, has fast turned from an eighties classic to a timeless classic. And the PS22 Chorus extraordinaire delivers some rather outstanding harmonies that recreate it into something completely its own, and pretty darn special too! Another surprise favorite of the year! Soloist Elijah gives Steve Perry (lead singer of Journey) a run for his money, doing a rockin' job with his amazing talent!

UPDATE! This video has achieved THREE honors already, including the #22 Top Rated Music Video today! Congrats to Elijah and the chorus! See screencap below!

29 comments:

I feel a bit silly posting a comment here, but I was really moved by this song this morning and thought a little encouragement is never lost on anyone.

I live in Berlin, Germany. I work in humanitarian aid. A friend sent me a link to Viva la Vida a couple of weeks ago when I was in Beirut, Lebanon. Through our first rate internet connection we were blown away by the "techno" remix we experienced. WHAT TALENT!

Since then, I have to admit I have bought the Passion Pit CD because of the PS 22 blog. I, who never before was able to, have become a Tori Amos fan. My musical life has been impacted. (Which is humbling, as I like to think of myself as a musical non-conformist... what a joke.)

I have been so inspired by year after year of your chorus'. I have loved your mom's commentary and obvious love for you. I have also been incredibly impressed that in 8 years your commitment to the kids seems to have grown stronger. You are a bit of a ghost in this as far as a "fan" is concerned and that is really beautiful.

This morning, as I woke up this morning with some really arduous tasks in front of me... After an evening of terrible sleep and bad dreams, I made breakfast and sat down to avoid what I have to do today (even now it makes my stomach turn.) I keep thinking, why do I do this? This is so hard... I logged into google reader and PS 22 was singing Don't Stop Believing.

I am not any of the big name stars that are moved by your chorus or what you are doing. I am just a normal girl in Berlin, Germany trying really hard to keep my $%&# together enough to make a little difference in the world. But I am replaying this video again and again and letting it encourage my tired soul today.

You lead a choir, you impact these kids lives which is invaluable... But in the process, for some reason, the work that you guys are doing is encouraging the hearts of people far away. Thank you.

hey mr.b i luv the picture of baaba and the altos in the background , i also luv the video that wuz so much fun and elijah did a great job 2 i see why ms.lisa and ms.johnson were blown away because i can tell 2 !!!!cant wait until mon. or tues. its a new day and beginning 4 me and its doesnt bother me at all im really happy 2 help !!!!

yeah, you guys are fantastic on this one.... and yeah, if anyone can handle switching his/her role in chorus, it's you!! i think it will really help the group a lot with you making the switch! thanks for being up for the challenge.... :)

You give me hope that music will carry on in schools in a day and age when it seems all the focus is on athletics. The arts are something that gives kids confidence and the ability to express themselves - you have given such a gift to these kids. Publicizing it like this will hopefully show people that we NEED this kind of thing in our schools today.

Thank you for what you do for these kids. They are lucky to have such a passionate teacher to lead them. I wish every school could be so lucky. These kids obviously love what they're doing and are great at it. I love it when you post new videos and I really loved this newest one.

thank you, karyn! and yes, that is a wonderful thing if putting these videos out there is renewing the public's underderstanding of the value of the arts in schools. and yes, this video seems to be hitting home for a lot of people, including the director. :)

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one affected by these kids... and I work with great kids everyday! There is something that is just absolutely phenomenal that is going on between you and these kids. I think of myself as a great teacher and my kids all love me but I don't know if I would ever be able to pull off what you are doing (even if I was musically trained). It truly is remarkable!

i've been listening to the original of this recently, and now that the kids did it, it's my favorite song EVER!!!

so one thing. IDK if you follow hockey, but the Penguins and Red Wings are in the Stanley Cup Final. This, to me, is the penguins' (i'm a pens fan!) song. don't stop believing.... yeah, it's a great message.whwnwver i sing it, instead of saying "born and raised in south detroit" (where the redwings are from" i say "born and raised in SOUTH PITTSBURGH!" so much better!!

yeah yeah yeah, another comment.but i was wondering, do you take requests often for songs? because i would LOVE to hear their version of "The Scientist" by Coldplay. we all know they rock at coldplay songs, so why not try another amazing one!

hello my name is raquel, i spanish and i doon't know speack english very well... I love your voices and your songs and i have a question for you: Have you a CD? I want buy your music!!! (bonnieteen@hotmail.com)

OMG!!!! I love this song and hearing it from these very talented children! I was just blown away! I started to cry! These kids are amazing! I am sure all of them will have great futures! Keep up the good work!

I think you and your kids are absolutely amazing! I think you should perform the song "Mary Jane" by Alanis Morisette. I think it is such a heartfelt song and that your kids could bring such emotion to it!

Shut the front door! I have been hiding under a rock while you've done so much. Mr. B, you are the one that will inspire America to push for keeping music programs in our schools. I am not Ashton Kutcher or Perez Hilton, but as a person who performed professionally for 23 years before heading to law school, you are beautiful. You are correct in saying that you have the most beautiful and talented kids to work with. As you know by now, you are truly an inspiration! I can't thank you enough for what you are doing. Words aren't enough!Brian T. Smith in Lansing, MI

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol